When Did Sean Strickland Have His Career-Altering Motorcycle Accident?
In December of 2018, Sean Strickland’s life took a dramatic turn when he was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him with serious injuries and a challenging road to recovery. Strickland, a prominent middleweight in the UFC, found himself in a life-changing situation when he was riding his motorcycle at approximately 45 mph after a sparring session. His journey home took an unexpected turn when he collided with a van, rendering him unconscious for several hours.
Waking up to the news that he needed knee surgery was a traumatic moment for Strickland. It made him question his future as an MMA fighter, the only path he had ever known. Many doctors advised against returning to the sport, but Strickland found support and encouragement from the medical team at the UFC Performance Institute.
The extent of his injuries was daunting. Strickland’s patella tendon was torn and separated from his knee, and he also faced a quadriceps tear. Despite moments of self-doubt and uncertainty about his fighting future, Strickland drew inspiration from fighters like Nick Newell and Michael Bisping, who had battled physical disabilities and career-altering injuries to continue their careers in MMA.
Strickland’s journey back to the Octagon was long and challenging, but his determination and resilience ultimately led to his successful return to competition in October 2020. His story serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of MMA fighters who overcome adversity on their path to success.
Sean Strickland’s Hilarious Reason for Avoiding Wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu Against Israel Adesanya at UFC 293
As Sean Strickland gears up to challenge Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title at UFC 293, fight fans are curious about his game plan against the striking sensation. Despite his recent loss to Alex Pereira, another elite striker, Strickland isn’t necessarily banking on wrestling or jiu-jitsu to secure victory.
In a recent conversation with Nina-Marie Daniele, Strickland humorously explained his approach to the fight. While he’s been putting in the hours on the wrestling mat, he admitted that when he stands across from his opponent, he might just decide to engage in a stand-up battle with ‘The Last Stylebender’ because he feels like it, saying, “I’ve been wrestling a lot in camp. But you know, sometimes you get up there, you’re looking at the man. And I think to myself, ‘I wanna stand and bang with this guy.’ So I probably should wrestle, but that’s probably not gonna happen.”
Furthermore, Strickland, who holds a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt, didn’t hold back in expressing his unconventional views on BJJ’s effectiveness in MMA. He even humorously alluded to the idea of using a gun instead, stating, “Yeah, I got one [BJJ black belt] a while ago. It’s bulls*it, doesn’t work. Doesn’t work you guys, jiu-jitsu don’t work. It’s somewhere in the trunk, my black belt, I lost my gi. I don’t wear it anymore. Why do you need a black belt when you got a gun.”
Strickland’s lighthearted take on his game plan adds an intriguing twist to the buildup for the title clash against Adesanya.
MORE MMA NEWS
Did Dan Hooker break his arm at UFC 290? UFC star confirms arm break via x-ray
Is Bo Nickal’s wife pregnant? UFC star opens up on wife’s pregnancy and more at 290
Dan Hardy Proposes ‘MMA Champions League’ and Backs PFL-Bellator Merger
Follow our dedicated MMA page for instant MMA news and update
